'Passagem de Ano' in Lisbon

It's the end of the year.  

If you are visiting New York, right now you are headed to Time Square to watch the balldrop. You might wonder what the balldrop is and why they do it. 

If so, here is the info. 

In Lisbon, many people go to Comercio Square(Praça do Comércio) to celebrate.

It's a wonderful place to say farewell to 2018 while watching fireworks.

There is also live show you can enjoy, too. 

The festivities have been going on since 29th and today the last day of 2018 the live show will be on at 10 p.m. 

Right after finishing this story, I am heading to Praça do Comércio, too.

You can usually access the square through Terreiro do Paço metro station.
However on New Year's eve, it is closed.
So it'd be better to get off at Baixa-Chiado metro station and walk up there.

The announcements of Lisbon metro are usually in Portuguese, so if you don't speak the language, it's safe to follow the crowd. Wherever the crowd goes, the odds are that's the place you can see the fireworks. 

To get a sneak preview of what it will be like this year,
click here and enjoy the fireworks from last year.

Fireworks can be seen all over Lisbon, even on my terrace.

To get a better view, I thought of going to a viewpoint.

Miradouro da Penha de França is closest to my house, only 5 minutes on foot. 

Want to ring in 2019 with love ones away from hustle and bustle?

Then Miradouro da Penha de França is the place. 

Unlike other miradouros, not many people know the place exists. 

And the way to the viewpoint is not that challenging at all. 

There is no funicular but it's a relatively easy walk. 

Your place of holiday is in Arroios area or near Alameda metro station, it's not that far.

The only downside is it's 3 km from Comercio Square
so the fireworks look somewhat scaled down.

But the people at Miradouro da Penha de França are usually locals not travelers,
so you can experience how real Lisbonians herald 2019.

Love capturing beautiful moments in Lisbon? 

Be a professional or amateur, if you want to take the best shot of fireworks, just grab your camera and head to Belem. 

You might end up getting the best firework picture ever against Belem Tower. 

And it is less crowded than Comercio Square.

Against this beautiful Belem Tower, fireworks look fantastic.
Don't miss the chance of taking the best photo ever. 

Other good places to see the fireworks are Parque das Nações and Castelo de São Jorge. Or you can ride a ferry from Cais do Sodré to Cacilhas to enjoy fireworks from both sides of the river.